The Carlton watch

[the Q]

That's part of the way it's entirely shifted for the guards. They aren't going to change the travel rules because it would give an advantage to everyone they just let travels slide way more with guards than bigs. The NFL has actually chqnged the rules so the quarterbacks are nothing like every other player on the field.

Which is, of course, terrible.

Call the rules as is, or change them. It’s ridiculous.

 

[UconnU]

One thing Carlton has that many(nearly all) of our bigs the last 13 years lacked is + hands and a few solid low post moves. He also has about average ‘touch’ which is an improvement over the total lack of touch our bigs have had. He seems to have overcome the motivational problems he had which is great(credit to Hurley!). His athleticism still needs work he will probably never be a + athlete but with another year under Coach Sal, hopefully a bunch of plyometrics, if he can become an average athlete he can be one of the best bigs in conference. His improvement has given me a lot of hope for the next couple years.

 

[Danzz]

This thread has takes ranging from Josh is a bum to Josh is our best big since Emeka and I love it

Different individual takes on the same player is normal. The truth is somewhere in between but there is no denying that Josh is getting better.

 

[3rdbass]

Al, CV, Sid, Polley and Josh are our starting 5 next year. I think Danny liked what he saw out of those 5 in the second half yesterday

Substitute Akok for Polley and Bouknight for Sid and that is probably our starting lineup. Sid has a chance but he will have to develop a more consistent outside shot and better handle to be a 3 in Hurley's system. I can't see Polley sticking with a very talented Akok. He has Polley's game plus more athletic, taller and a shot blocker.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Substitute Akok for Polley and Bouknight for Sid and that is probably our starting lineup. Sid has a chance but he will have to develop a more consistent outside shot and better handle to be a 3 in Hurley's system. I can't see Polley sticking with a very talented Akok. He has Polley's game plus more athletic, taller and a shot blocker.

We'll see. Polley will be a Junior and Sid will be a Sophomore thus I am anticipating starting the year with those two as the starting 3 and 4. I have never seen Akok play but assume that Danny is like other D1 coaches who prefer upper classmen. That is not to say that Akok, Pouknight and Gaffney don't get starters minutes or are starters as the season goes on.

 

[3rdbass]

We'll see. Polley will be a Junior and Sid will be a Sophomore thus I am anticipating starting the year with those two as the starting 3 and 4. I have never seen Akok play but assume that Danny is like other D1 coaches who prefer upper classmen. That is not to say that Akok, Pouknight and Gaffney don't get starters minutes or are starters as the season goes on.

The book is still open on Polley and Sid. I think Polley starting past the mid-season mark next year is doubtful. He is a great kid but is better off the bench as a spot up shooter. He is still limited and once we play more physcial and athletic teams starting with Temple he will not look as good. Now Sid has the athletic talent to start but still have to see more from him and since Hurley likes 3 guys to handle on the floor at once I think there is a better chance we see Bouknight start.

 

[Scrutineer]

Just a plug here for whichever coach is in charge of the big men. Someone has had a very positive influence on Carlton, with his post moves and maybe even as far as getting him to show some fire, as he has suddenly shown the last several games. Never recall him showing any emotion until this past month. Great to see, along with how happy his teammates seemed to be for him when he came out of the ECU game.

Can anyone name a big man for UConn with an effective "up and under" move? Not just Brimah, but anyone? Seems I recall Villanueva making some nice moves inside, but I can't remember anyone else.
Curley at BC was a master at it and it's fun to see one of our guys making it look easy.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Watched last night's replay after SB up until 39-33, and now watching the balance. In addition to all of yesterday's successes, Carlton's game included tipped rebounds that he didn't control, tap-ins that didn't fall, a missed dunk, breaking from screens & calling for the ball, missed free throws, being blocked from behind, even lost the fight for a rebound w/Vital.

I bring these up, because they were instances where he was active & fully involved all over the court. I agree that more will be revealed against better competition, but I don't think this was his peak.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Carlton is 59th in the country in offensive rebound %, 57th in block %, and 125th in 2-point %. I’m not saying he’s Emeka Okafor, but he’s a solid player who has improved a lot. He looked great today. ECU was very physical with him, but it wasn’t successful.

He did WORK on their euro big guy. He was working to get into position early in the shot clock and got where he wanted to be.

 

[Vancat]

When I attended the open practice way back when, Dan was yelling at Josh more than anyone. I kind of felt bad for him. Guess what? It's working.

 

[Kitaman]

Has Carlton had any success against a quality (i.e NBA potential) big man? Or even a quality team (both hard to find I know in our Conference)? Against ECU he looked like Kareem, and its evident he is improving. I don't remember how he even fared against Taco (perhaps he was in foul trouble).

Just curious to know if we have actually gauged him against serious talent. Any opponents coming up with a quality big?

 

[the Q]

When I attended the open practice way back when, Dan was yelling at Josh more than anyone. I kind of felt bad for him. Guess what? It's working.

A coach who yells at you, cares about it.

You gotta be worried when they stop yelling at you and let you just do whatever.

 

[HooperScooper]

Substitute Akok for Polley and Bouknight for Sid and that is probably our starting lineup. Sid has a chance but he will have to develop a more consistent outside shot and better handle to be a 3 in Hurley's system. I can't see Polley sticking with a very talented Akok. He has Polley's game plus more athletic, taller and a shot blocker.

Why is it that a lot of fans assume that what is coming in is better than a player who is already here? I think too many times the unknown seems better than the deficient known. How many people on here kept saying Sid will start from day one this season just because he was a top 100 recruit?

 

[Bomber36]

That hug that Polley gave Carlton at the end of the game made my year. He was so genuinely happy for the guy. Wonderful stuff.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Why is it that a lot of fans assume that what is coming in is better than a player who is already here? I think too many times the unknown seems better than the deficient known. How many people on here kept saying Sid will start from day one this season just because he was a top 100 recruit?

People thought Sid could have played over Larrier last year. Most popular player is alway the second string QB

 

[UconnU]

That hug that Polley gave Carlton at the end of the game made my year. He was so genuinely happy for the guy. Wonderful stuff.

Polley is a GREAT kid.

 

[imno1]

If Akok starts over Polley that’s a good thing because it means we got much better at that position and I’m assuming Tyler will be improved going into next season

Has Carlton had any success against a quality (i.e NBA potential) big man? Or even a quality team (both hard to find I know in our Conference)? Against ECU he looked like Kareem, and its evident he is improving. I don't remember how he even fared against Taco (perhaps he was in foul trouble).

Just curious to know if we have actually gauged him against serious talent. Any opponents coming up with a quality big?

Josh outrebounded Tako and Smith combined last game.

 

[len0322]

Why is it that a lot of fans assume that what is coming in is better than a player who is already here? I think too many times the unknown seems better than the deficient known. How many people on here kept saying Sid will start from day one this season just because he was a top 100 recruit?

Because most people assume that high school/prep success translates perfectly to the college game. In best cases its immediate....sometimes it takes a couple years to develop...sometimes it doesn't happen....

 

[len0322]

If Akok starts over Polley that’s a good thing because it means we got much better at that position and I’m assuming Tyler will be improved going into next season


Josh outrebounded Tako and Smith combined last game.

Keep working hard big fella!!! Like his progress. Might not be second coming of Emeka but could anchor the front line for the next couple of years

 

[lange10]

Last 7 conference games: 11ppg, 9rpg, 2bpg. Very impressive

 

[Friendship]

This thread has takes ranging from Josh is a bum to Josh is our best big since Emeka and I love it

what do you love about it?

 

[6xChamps]

Has Carlton had any success against a quality (i.e NBA potential) big man? Or even a quality team (both hard to find I know in our Conference)? Against ECU he looked like Kareem, and its evident he is improving. I don't remember how he even fared against Taco (perhaps he was in foul trouble).

Just curious to know if we have actually gauged him against serious talent. Any opponents coming up with a quality big?

Gardner on ECU has NBA potenital. Not necessarily the same position but still a big that was in the paint while Carlton swallowed up boards

 

[tcf15]

Conference play:

9.8 points
8.1 rebounds
1.5 blocks

Have to like that from a sophomore.

 

[3rdbass]

Conference play:

9.8 points
8.1 rebounds
1.5 blocks

Have to like that from a sophomore.

Carlton's development the last 6-7 games has been the one bright spot in this season. He is demanding for the ball now. With Jalen and AG out I expect him to get the ball even more now.